Fear and Trembling

Philippians 2:12-13  - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

A final thought as we enter Holy Week about Philippians Chapter 2. 

These two verses may seem perplexing.  I mean, I'm guessing you probably get the fear and trembling part!

But the working out your own salvation part?

Perhaps a clue about what this means is that following it is the line "for it is God who is at work in you."

So working out your own salvation means, I believe, living out with honesty, humility, and integrity the salvation that has already been given to you through Christ.  God saves.  We don't save ourselves.

And who doesn't get a bit quivery at the thought of such a momentous gift?

I remember the first time I was given a large amount of cash as a gift from someone in my family.  I didn't earn it. Didn't deserve it. 

And I felt nervous and unsure about what to do with it!  There was fear and trembling a plenty as I tried to work out the best way to put such a gift to use. Did I buy myself something I always wanted? Did I save it? Did I give some of it to charity?

That often is how I feel with the gift of life I've been given. Am I using this gift with humility? With honesty? With integrity?

Am I taking this completely unearned gift - a life I never asked for, but was given freely - and make the most out of it that I can?

This segment of chapter 2 of Philippians comes after the passages we have already read: where we see how Christ as servant king willingly emptied himself and with humility became obedient even unto death.  

As Holy Week begins, we move from Jesus on the humble donkey riding into Jerusalem to Christ resurrected, redeeming the cosmos.  

And that is worthy of some fear and trembling!

Lord of the cosmos, help me to live into this gift of life you have given me with fear and trembling and integrity!  Amen